“PINKERTON”

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11739, 29 January 1924, Page 2

“PINKERTON”

NOTED DETECTIVE DIES. AGENCY OE 3000 EMPLOYEES. Many startling crimes, with which he was associated as a detective, arc recalled by the death, announced in a Reuter’s telegram from Los Angeles, of Mr William Pinkerton. William Allan Pinkerton was known all over the world as the man who built up the great American detective agency bearing his name, and now employing over 3000 agents. His record in tracking down culprits goes hack more than 50 years, but his work in connection with the great Bank of England frauds brought him prominently before the British public. In 1873 Mr Pinkerton was in a. London tailor’s shop with Detective-In-spector Shaw of Scotland Yard, when two “swells” walked in. Mr Pinkerton recognised them ae two notorious American forgers. FORGERS’ £IOO,OOO HAUL. They were followed, located, and Mr Pinkerton sent their pictures to the Yard. Shortly after there came the news that the Bank of England had been defrauded of over £IOO,OOO by forgers. Austin Bidwell and another man, Maodonnell, were identified bv the photos, and, after an exciting chase m different parts of the world, four members of the gang were captured. Mr Pinkertonl himeelf capturing Bidwell in Havana. Mr Pinkerton waa associated with the recovery' of the Gainsborough port raifc of the Duchess of Devonshire. Adam Worth, who stole the portrait, was always regarded by the, detective as the greatest criminal of his age. This man had a big house near Clapham Common, and lived like a prince. He merely planned and directed hie coups. When Air Pinkerton first came to England it was on Worth’s track in connection with a big Baltimore bank robbery. THE STORY OF THE “NIBBLER.” One of the detective’s most exciting experiences was to carry half a million dollars’ worth of bonds on a train through a country where there had been many train robberies. He had an empty safe in the luggage van, and carried the bonds on his person. He was one of those crime experts who believed that a prisoner who wanted to reform should he. given every chance. To emphasise this he would instance the case of “Jerry the Nibbler,” a Liverpool criminal, who, after a long career of crime, was sent to the penitentiary, where he becamo a hero by nursing the staff and prisoners suffering there from a cholera outbreak. The man' was pardoned, came to Pinkerton for advice, and studied medicine. In a few years “Jerry” had a practice, directed a bank, and died a respected citizen. Mr Pinkerton always had a great respect for the crime investigators of Scotland Yard, and his admiration for their finger-print system was great. He declared that it was the most perfect means of ready detection in the world.